DAVID ARCHULETA, DAVID COOK AND SYESHA MERCADO ARE "AMERICAN IDOL" TOP 3 FINALISTS

JASON CASTRO IS ELIMINATED FROM COMPETITION

Top 3 Finalists Perform Three Songs on Next Week's Performance Show Tuesday, May 13, on FOX

David Archuleta, David Cook and Syesha Mercado are announced as the AMERICAN IDOL Top 3 finalists after Jason Castro received the fewest of America's nearly 51 million votes. Next week the Top 3 finalists will compete head-to-head on the live AMERICAN IDOL performance show Tuesday, May 13 (8:00-9:02 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed). Each contestant will sing three songs � judges' choice, producers' choice and finalist's choice � on the season's second-to-last performance show.

Tune in the following night Wednesday, May 14 (9:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) to the results show to find out which two finalists will face-off in the final showdown at the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE.

The Top 3 finalists had this to say about their favorite moment on AMERICAN IDOL so far:

David Archuleta � "...singing �Imagine' because of the feeling it gave me. I was shocked at the effect it had on people and am so grateful for what the song accomplished."

David Cook � "...the first time I walked out on the big stage at the Top 12. I got a really cool vibe."

Syesha Mercado � "...singing �A Change Is Gonna Come' because the song had a lot of meaning to me and in history."

AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder and CEO of 19 Entertainment, and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

Visit americanidol.com for exclusive videos, interviews and photos of the finalists, as well as special behind-the-scenes information and all of your AMERICAN IDOL news.